In yet another episode of the most expressive rivalry in national basketball at the moment, Franca defeated Flamengo by 76 to 65 and won the Super 8 Cup title, this Saturday (28), at Ginásio Pedrocão, in Franca. This is the second title of the São Paulo team in the competition, which started in 2018. The other title was also won against Rubro-Negro from Rio de Janeiro. 
Flamengo also has two tournament trophies (one of them, in 2018, over Franca), which brings together the eight teams with the best campaign in the NBB’s first round. The victory guaranteed the team from the interior of São Paulo a place in the Champions League for the 2023-24 season.
This Saturday’s final repeated the decision of the last NBB (won by Franca) and put the two teams that lead the NBB in 2022-23 face to face. Franca is still unbeaten in 19 matches.
The decision in Franca had the home team in front of the scoreboard from the beginning of the second quarter, but without being able to open a big advantage at any time. The traditional São Paulo team went into the break winning by nine points (41 to 32), but saw the opponent approach on several occasions in the final stage.
The move that practically ended Flamengo’s hopes happened when there were about 90 seconds left to go. With no play options and with the ball possession clock about to burst, Argentine point guard Santiago Scala hit a long three-pointer and again established a nine-point difference on the scoreboard, at 74-65.
COME ON, SCALA?! #DeuGreen on the Argentine’s three ball in a DECISIVE bid ?
? Watch on @YouTube of #NBB, #NBBnoSporTV, #NBBnaCultura and @Twitch of @douglasviegas34 #OurBasketball #Super8 pic.twitter.com/W6oVUlaFIW
— NBB (@NBB) January 28, 2023
The scorers in the afternoon went to Franca: the North American guard David Jackson (chosen MVP of the tournament) scored 21 and the pivot Lucas Mariano, 19. For Flamengo, the Argentine guard Martin Cuello left the court with 16 points.
